F1 Most liked posts in thread: F1 - 2013

Nathan · Nov 25, 2012

That was funny.

Steve · Nov 25, 2012

Remember, the official schedule shows only 19 races, with NJ deleted.

Minidave · Nov 25, 2012

Ha! That was great, introducing the new team member!

Angib · Nov 26, 2012

Ron Dennis, stroking his megalomaniac's pet pigeon - superb! No boring old white cat for that man.....

Steve · Nov 26, 2012

Angib said: ↑

Ron Dennis, stroking his megalomaniac's pet pigeon - superb! No boring old white cat for that man.....
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Did you notice the name of the pigeon? Cosworth.

Given the tone of this Tooned (change, future, etc) + rumors for the last couple years that McLaren have been looking into building their own engines + the fact Cosworth has been recently put up for sale, I wonder whether there's a subtle clue in there?

Nathan · Nov 26, 2012

The rumors are that Rolls Royce could be at the front of the queue to buy Cosworth, thanks to the engine maker's new links in the aerospace industry. Another potential buyer is GKN, a British aerospace company.

Redbeard · Nov 26, 2012

I'll give Hamilton some points for having the sense of humor to do that.

ScottinBend · Nov 26, 2012

.....I can see your bits......!

Best line ever.

Steve · Nov 28, 2012

Senna out, Bottas in, at Williams.

Williams confirms Maldonado, Bottas (GPUpdate.net)

28 November 2012

Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas have been confirmed at Williams for the 2013 Formula 1 season, ending widespread speculation over the team's future line-up. The decision leaves Bruno Senna fighting for a place on the grid.

Bottas, who joined the team as a reserve driver after claiming the 2011 GP3 title, says a Formula 1 seat has long been on his mind. Having taken part in a large number of Friday practice sessions this year, he feels ready for the next step.

"It has always been my life-long dream to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship," the 23-year-old Finn explained. "To do so with one of the most legendary teams in the sport is incredibly special. I’ve really enjoyed my three years with Williams so far and feel very at home here so my goal was always to stay for 2013 and progress to a race seat.

"I’m looking forward to getting my Formula 1 career started and enjoying a lot of success with Williams."

Maldonado was equally delighted with the news which sees him enter a third campaign with Williams. The Venezuelan, who claimed a memorable victory at the Spanish Grand Prix earlier this season, is eager for more success in 2013.

"I’m really enjoying my time with Williams and I was very happy when I was told that I would be continuing with the team in 2013," he said. "2012 was a memorable year for me with the win in Barcelona and we made a big step forward in terms of performance.

"I have a lot of confidence in the team and hopefully next year will see us move even further up the grid and taste more success."

The team also thanked Senna for his efforts throughout the 2012 campaign, with the Brazilian recording ten points finishes during his first complete year in the sport.
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The 2013 line-up, so far:

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3

Teams Drivers Test Drivers

Infiniti Red Bull Racing M. Webber

S. Vettel

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes J. Button

S. Perez

Scuderia Ferrari F. Alonso

F. Massa

Mercedes AMG Petronas N. Rosberg

L. Hamilton

Lotus F1 Team K. Raikkonen

Sahara Force India

Sauber F1 Team N. Hulkenberg R. Frijns

E. GutiÃ©rrez

Scuderia Toro Rosso D. Ricciardo

J. Vergne

Williams F1 Team P. Maldonado

V. Bottas

Caterham F1 Team C. Pic

HRT F1 Team P. de la Rosa

Marussia Racing T. Glock

M. Chilton

Steve · Nov 29, 2012

Without a confirmed F1 ride, Kovalainen isn't sure what he'll be doing next year...maybe rallying?

And for my next trick... (WRC.com)

29 Oct 12

Heikki Kovalainen could follow Kimi Raikkonen's lead by trying rallying for size, it has emerged.

With his chances of remaining on the Formula One grid in 2013 said to be receding, the Finn wouldnâ€™t rule out a change of codes next season.

â€œThereâ€™s not much outside of Formula One that interests me,â€ he said, â€œbut rallying is one of those things. Sometimes I think itâ€™s a bit surprising that I didnâ€™t become a rally driver earlier in life; I had lots of opportunities when I was growing up to drive on forest tracks, like most kids in Finland, but then I discovered racing circuits! Next year weâ€™ll see what happens: thereâ€™s life outside Formula One as well.â€

Raikkonen spent two seasons in the FIA World Rally Championship between 2010 and 2011 during a sabbatical from grand prix racing. He bagged several top 10 finishes and a fastest stage time in Germany along the way.

If Kovalainen did make the move to rallying and the WRC in particular then he would be in good company with several Finnish drivers in regular action in the global series, including works Citroen pilot Mikko Hirvonen and factory Volkswagen runner Jari-Matti Latvala.

Kovalainen is one of the few people to have defeated Sebastien Loeb in an identical rally car: the two went head-to-head in the Champion of Champions final at the 2004 Race of Champions, with Kovalainen beating Loeb in a Peugeot 307 WRC - despite never having sat in the car before. He consequently became the first non-rally driver to win the Henri Toivonen Memorial Trophy.
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Steve · Nov 29, 2012

I think they were mulling the idea of replacing the 2013 New Jersey GP (postponed to 2014) with a 2013 return to France.

French Grand Prix ruled out for 2013 (GPUpdate.net)

29 November 2012

The 2013 Formula 1 calendar will not feature a French Grand Prix, national newspaper L'Ã‰quipe has claimed. The FÃ©dÃ©ration FranÃ§aise du Sport Automobile (FFSA) set a deadline of Tuesday 29 November to receive applications for a race, with neither Paul Ricard or Magny-Cours coming forward with proposals to host an event.

With the next World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting set to take place in Istanbul next month, there was not enough time for either of the two aforementioned circuits to finalise deals. In Paul Ricard's case, circuit ambassador Alain Prost blamed a lack of finances as the main reason for the venue failing to secure a place on the calendar.

"The deadline has passed," four-time Champion Prost told Le Figaro. "It's technically impossible for 2013. Two things were missing. A true will from Bernie Ecclestone to come back, to bring back a Grand Prix to Europe. And, naturally, the financial side. A Grand Prix in France cannot welcome as many spectators as some other countries."

Formula 1 is set to visit 19 circuits next year, with New Jersey postponed until 2014.
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Steve · Nov 30, 2012

Due primarily to all the big technical turmoil coming in 2014, there aren't a lot of new rules or technical changes for 2013. As a result, and if Webbah is right (see highlighted area), other teams should maybe be a bit worried, eh?

Webber describes Singapore turning point (GPUpdate.net)

30 November 2012

Mark Webber has pinpointed the Singapore Grand Prix as the turning point in Red Bull's 2012 title fight, with the Australian explaining that Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey transformed 'an already good car into a great one' for the final seven races of the season. During this phase, team-mate Sebastian Vettel won four times in a row.

"The decisive moment in the championship fight between Seb and Fernando (Alonso) was the update Red Bull brought to the car for the final part of the season, starting in Singapore and with a series of improvements after that through Japan and Korea," Webber said in his latest column for BBC Sport.

"Our Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey did a great job in turning an already good car into a great one at that point. The changes were subtle but they opened up a new window for the car in terms of performance."

Webber added that Red Bull still has 'room for improvement' in 2013, with the outfit suffering a selection of technical gremlins throughout the campaign gone by.

"We were resolute in trying to get to the bottom of the problems we had with the car at the start of the year," he added, with alternator issues causing the biggest concern. "We've not sorted all of them yet, which is encouraging as far as next year goes. We know there is still a lot of room for improvement with the new car, the RB9."
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Steve · Nov 30, 2012

Ferrari braced for hardest year yet in 2013 Formula 1 season (AutoSport.com)

By Jonathan Noble and David S. de Castro | Friday, November 30th 2012, 17:23 GMT

Ferrari is bracing itself for what it believes will be the 'toughest year' in Formula 1 history next season, as teams get ready for new regulations in 2014.

With the outfit determined to make amends for the weaknesses that cost it this year's world championship, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali says he is under no illusions about the size of the task his outfit is facing if it wants to triumph.

He reckons that the challenge posed by new car and engine rules for 2014 is already immense, and that having to also keep pushing with its 2013 challenger will be tough.

"Next year will maybe be the most difficult year - we are in parallel two projects," said Domenicali during a press conference in Madrid on Friday.

"We need to make sure the 2013 car and team is successful and, on other hand, we have a group of people that need to make sure that with massive change, the car of 2014 will be successful.

"It is an extremely challenging year with a lot of investment, and a lot of opportunities, and I don't deny it will be a very critical year in order to achieve in all the directions the objectives that we want to achieve."

Domenicali has faith that Ferrari has learned valuable lessons this year, where Alonso lost the title by just three points to Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.

"We know where we need to improve and I believe we have all the tools to make sure we will improve," he said. "Our season has not finished.

"On the Monday after the end of the championship I was back in Maranello to make sure the work around the next project will give a boost. We need to make sure the car is faster than it was at the beginning of this season. On that I have the confidence it will be."

Domenicali also thinks that Ferrari's main focus must be on lifting the performance of its car, because he reckons in other critical areas that team is good enough for championship success.

"We need to be pragmatic and consider that if you want to win you need to have the best car, the best driver, we have that is clear, the best strategy, the best pitstop, the best reliability and the best luck.

"On those six [items], I would say apart from two we had all four. The best car above all at the end of season and the beginning? No. So it is a fact to improve.

"And in terms of luck, I don't like to give the answer because it is quite easy to reply. Next year we need all six elements in our pocket and then I am sure we can succeed in the objective we want to achieve together."

He added: "You never give up. From the emotional point of view, when you receive a hit in the stomach it hurts, but we are good boxers. We stand up and fight again.

"I am convinced on one fact: that this year we had a difficult start for Felipe [Massa], a difficult start to the season, and I saw Felipe grow in a great way in the second half of the season.

"This will be an important element to count on as a team to be more competitive from the beginning of the season."
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Steve · Dec 1, 2012

RIP HRT?

HRT fails to find buyer before 2013 Formula 1 entry deadline (AutoSport.com)

By Edd Straw | Saturday, December 1st 2012, 17:44 GMT

The HRT Formula 1 team looks set to officially close down after failing to find a buyer before the FIA's deadline for 2013 entries on Friday.

The squad was absent from the 22-car entry list published by the governing body on Saturday.

HRT had been put up for sale by owner Thesan Capital just before the United States Grand Prix.

Attempts were made to find a buyer before the entry deadline. AUTOSPORT understands that Chinese company Chery Automobile among those involved in talks to save HRT.

Sources indicate that the team is now working to pay its creditors and that the plan is for the team to shut down without unpaid debts.

Team representatives declined to comment on the current situation.

HRT was originally launched as Campos Meta by former F1 driver Adrian Campos when the FIA invited new entries for the 2010 season.

But its first reconstitution happened before it even made the grid, as former Jordan/Midland boss Colin Kolles was parachuted in to lead a last-minute rescue when the project hit funding problems.

Kolles saw the renamed Hispania team through to the middle of the 2011 season, when it was bought by Thesan.

It was relocated to a Madrid base in an attempt to revive the Spanish team image that Campos had originally planned, with Luis Perez-Sala installed as team boss.

Designing its own car for the first time after adapting a Dallara-produced chassis in its early years, HRT hinted at progress in 2012 as it briefly closed on Marussia.

But it drifted away at the tail of the field by the end of the year, with its funding problems clearly apparent as tales of parts shortages dominated what turned out to be its final races.

HRT had beaten Marussia to 11th spot in the constructors' championship in its first two years, before falling to last in 2012.

It is the first F1 team to close down since Super Aguri's mid-2008 exit.
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Steve · Dec 2, 2012

Pirelli hopes for '8-10 years' in Formula 1 (GPUpdate.net)

2 December 2012

Tyre manufacturer Pirelli has confirmed its intention to remain in Formula 1 for "8-10 years". Talking to ESPN, Pirelli Motorsport Director Paul Hembery said the companyâ€™s board are happy to continue after the expiration of the current deal at the end of 2013.

"I think most people would think you need to do 8-10 years really in a sport to be able to activate your involvement in an activity right down to the point of sale," Hembery explained of Pirelli's F1 ambitions.

"We're a technical sponsor, it's not just sponsoring for us - but it would probably take a medium term agreement to allow you to really maximise the return on your investment."

The first deal with Formula 1 lasted for three seasons, and Pirelli man Hembery expects two more agreements of similar length to be the brandâ€™s target.

"It's not at any cost and every cost because we're a business and there's parts of the world that are really struggling at the moment," said the Englishman.

"But in terms of the concept, if all the conditions remain viable we'd like to continue for the medium term which is what we've really always said. But equally, if factors outside our control change then that can change their viewpoint as well."

The Italian tyres have been a crucial factor in races since Pirelli became F1â€™s sole tyre supplier in 2011. The spectacularly unpredictable start of the 2012 season - which saw seven different winners from seven races - was partly attributed to the rapidly-degrading and the teamsâ€™ failure to initially understand their best working conditions.
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Steve · Dec 5, 2012

2013 German GP moved forward to slot in another European race (AutoSport.com)

By Sam Tremayne | Wednesday, December 5th 2012, 14:47 GMT

The 2013 German Grand Prix has been moved forward one week to accommodate another European race, the FIA World Motor Sport Council confirmed today.

With a three-week gap resulting from the date change, the 21st July has now been reserved for a European-based event. The German event will now run on 7th July.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said on Tuesday that he was working on plans to resurrect the Turkish Grand Prix.

The calendar was left with 19 races after it was announced the planned New Jersey Grand Prix would be postponed until 2014.

Alongside the calendar changes, the FIA announced a number of rule tweaks including the abolition of the qualifying 'force majeure' rule, as predicted by AUTOSPORT last month.

As revealed by AUTOSPORT, the F1 Technical Working Group also agreed to postpone to 2017 the requirement for all cars to be driven exclusively under electric power in the pitlane.

For next year, DRS use during practice will be permitted only in the race-specified zones, while the team personnel curfew will be extended from six to eight hours on Thursday night.

Only two exceptions - rather than the previous four - will be permitted across the season.

The FIA also confirmed a small increase in minimum weight to compensate for an increase in tyre weight, and the introduction of more stringent front wing deflection tests.
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cooperSml · Dec 6, 2012

Want a real feeling of F1 in your own hands?

Formula 1 Driving Experience, Drive a Formula 1 Racing Car

Steve · Dec 6, 2012

Austin seeks new date for 2013 United States Grand Prix (AutoSport.com)

By Pablo Elizalde | Thursday, December 6th 2012, 09:26 GMT

United States Grand Prix organisers want the date of the 2013 event at the Austin circuit changed in order to avoid a clash with an American football match.

The Circuit of the Americas race is scheduled for the weekend of November 17 next year following confirmation of the calendar by the FIA World Motor Sport Council yesterday.

The University of Texas football team is scheduled to play against Oklahoma State on November 16, in a event that is expected to draw a crowd of over 100,000 fans.

Both the university and the circuit chiefs have admitted the situation is far from ideal, with COTA eager to get a new date for the grand prix.

"Circuit of the Americas has expressed our strong preference for an alternate race date in 2013," chairman Bobby Epstein told the American-Statesman.

"We understand that setting a global calendar can be very challenging, involves many factors and is out of our control. We feel confident that Formula 1 has taken our concerns seriously and is working earnestly towards a collective solution.

"Ultimately, our 2013 race date may remain as it currently stands."

The Austin circuit made its debut on the Formula 1 calendar this year.
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Steve · Dec 7, 2012

Return of Austrian GP comes a step closer (Eurosport.yahoo.com)

EXCLUSIVE: Formula One Licensing, the intellectual property division of the company which runs F1, has registered a trademark to the name Austrian Grand Prix â€“ a move which paves the way for the historic race to return.

By Christian Sylt | Eurosport â€“ Thu, Dec 6, 2012 07:22 EST

The race first took place in 1964 but was dropped in 2003 after an seven-year stint at the A1-Ring in southern Austria. The 2.7 mile circuit was bought by energy drinks company Red Bull in 2004 and completely renovated. Renamed the Red Bull Ring, the track was reopened last year and has since hosted DTM and F2. An F1 race may also be on the horizon.

On 8 January this year Formula One Licensing registered a pan-European trademark for the title â€˜Grosser Preis von Ã–sterreichâ€™ which means â€˜Grand Prix of Austriaâ€™ in the countryâ€™s native language of German. This is a crucial step in the process of bringing a race to the F1 calendar and the trademark application covers three key classes including sports events, radio and television and printed products, such as race programmes.

Wherever possible, Formula One Licensing has registered trademarks for the names of races on the calendar and a slot for the Austrian Grand Prix became available on Wednesday. The 2013 calendar was released with a gap on 21 July for a race which is to be confirmed. The slot is free following delays with the proposed Grand Prix of America in New Jersey and the frontrunner to replace it in 2013 is Turkey.

F1â€™s annual prize giving ceremony is taking place in Istanbul on Friday and the sportâ€™s boss Bernie Ecclestone has said that he has business to do there. â€œI am going to Istanbul to see if we can get the Turkish GP back,â€ Ecclestone said earlier this week. Austria is waiting in the wings if this doesnâ€™t come off.

Red Bullâ€™s triple world champion Sebastian Vettel was present for the inauguration of its Austrian track and recently said â€œI don't know why we donâ€™t go there. For us it would be great for it to be our home Grand Prix. The track is completely Formula One compatible.â€

Vettelâ€™s hopes were echoed by Red Bullâ€™s F1 adviser Helmut Marko who said â€œyou can never say never.â€ The hurdle is likely to be a financial one as F1â€™s races tend to break even at best unless supported by a government which uses the Grand Prix to boost tourism for the country. Austria has little need for this so the circuit owner could end up being stuck with paying the annual race hosting fees.

â€œThere are sanctioning fees of around $20-30m that need to be paid, so one simply has to ask the question of where does this come from,â€ says Marko. Until Red Bull comes up with an answer the brakes are likely to remain on the Austrian Grand Prix.
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minimark · Dec 7, 2012

Ole Kimi, life of the party!! Lol

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Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Teams	Drivers	Test Drivers
Infiniti Red Bull Racing	M. Webber
	S. Vettel
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes	J. Button
	S. Perez
Scuderia Ferrari	F. Alonso
	F. Massa
Mercedes AMG Petronas	N. Rosberg
	L. Hamilton
Lotus F1 Team	K. Raikkonen

Sahara Force India

Sauber F1 Team	N. Hulkenberg	R. Frijns
	E. GutiÃ©rrez
Scuderia Toro Rosso	D. Ricciardo
	J. Vergne
Williams F1 Team	P. Maldonado
	V. Bottas
Caterham F1 Team	C. Pic

HRT F1 Team	P. de la Rosa

Marussia Racing	T. Glock
	M. Chilton

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